I only know that Jesus is a white dude with blue eyes who speaks the King's English and has weaker magical powers than a water bear.

The conundrum of what to do when personal and socially perceived reality conflict must be as old as social animals-there is no perfect solution to it. The possibility, or rather the insight that societies may become psychotic is rarely admitted, especially if it is one's own. of course it is easier to recognise faults in others, rather than in ourselves.

It is just too easy to find scapegoats, to burn witches or heretics. But societies are usually deemed evil, rather than suffering from group delusions. [The evil Muslims, the evil Nazis, the god-damned commies, etc]. As if pogroms were not a really good head's up that society is sick.

Not everyone that has a drink becomes an alcoholic. Not everyone who has religion becomes mentally deranged, but both alcohol and religion are potentially highly addictive in vulnerable types. An addictive agent will affect the pleasure/ reward centres in the brain, tending to warp both values and cognition. One of the easiest ways to disrupt the normal operations of a wet heuristic computer.

John Nash was a schizophrenic. Luckily he was also a genius who lived a life of science. Support from his family, friends, colleagues and student's helped him differentiate between reality and delusion. So perhaps the practice of science and reason is somewhat protective.

Conversely, priming a person with society's own delusions, be they religious or ideological, cannot help an unbalanced or vulnerable mind. Many people object when I claim this, because religion can in fact stabilise someone. But the affect is a little like "hair of the dog" on a alcoholic. it makes them feel better, but does not address the fundamental problems of the addiction itself, and the side effects.

The problem is that it appears to work to some extent. Feed the radical a more moderate interpretation of their faith, and some folks do get de-radicalised. But at best, it is a "band-aid."

Trying to ban religions would be even less effective than prohibition of alcohol. What is needed are plenty of "distractions". Serious and sceptical study of religion in general, scientific literacy, engagement in music and the arts, and above all critical thinking with no sacred cows.

The last should be not-negotiable. If a faith or ideology is so self-evidently true, it should be immune from all reason and evidence. No kindergarten, school, or university should be allowed to teach otherwise. That at least, will rid the world of absolutist faiths and dogmas.

Believer in High Powers, and naturally, logarithms.Pikkiwoki is the one true god.